Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that Lukas Podolski's struggles in recent months are down to the lack of a winter break in the Premier League.
Podolski has scored 14 goals in his debut season with the Gunners but has started just three games since February in a frustrating 2013 for the German international.
Wenger thinks that Podolski has suffered physically because he is used to a mid-season break in the Bundesliga and believes that the issue is common when players swap Germany for the Premier League.
He told the club's official website: "He had a good start [to the season], a very strong start. After that, he suffered a little bit physically and mentally because in Germany they have a break in mid-season.
"We have seen with many German players that when they come in for the first season, mentally they suffer a little bit. Now he has recovered and is getting stronger again. On the flanks is the most demanding position. Physically, especially in England, it's very tough.
"He's a striker. Many times we were in a position where we were in a winning position in the final 20 minutes and then I take a bit more of a guarantee defensively and take him out of the team sometimes."
With Olivier Giroud suspended for tonight's clash with Wigan Athletic, the 27-year-old could continue in attack for the third successive match.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic